KUALA LUMPUR: History was made at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Education and Training (ACET) 2015, today with the acceptance of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration to ensure further development of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in the region.
Endorsed by Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, the declaration which contains eight components or recommendations was drafted after two days of fruitful discussion among education ministers, deputy ministers and officials from Asia Pacific.
"The Kuala Lumpur Declaration is a historic, first of its kind document for the cause and is also very significant in the development of TVET in the region.
"It is in line with the TVET recommendations included in the Malaysia Education Blueprints for schools and Higher Education," said Yap.
The theme of the declaration is 'Quality education and skills development for sustainable future'.
It recommends that government and all other TVET stakeholders in UNESCO's member states in the region, to consider implementing eight actions in response to the challenges identified during ACET.
The recommendations are:
• Enhance the quality of TVET and its relevance to the changing needs of the world of work
• Ensure inclusive and equitable TVET
• Expand lifelong learning opportunities through TVET
• Integrate greening skills for sustainable development in TVET programmes
• Adapt qualifications systems to facilitate learning and career pathways
• Strengthen governance and increase investment in TVET
• Leverage the potential of Information and Communication Technology for TVET
• Foster regional integration and labour mobility.
The declaration was handed to Unesco Bangkok director Gwang-Jo Kim and would be further refined and finalised within two weeks.